Barack Obama visited T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria earlier today, and I was lucky enough to get a ticket. I got there at 9:30 a.m., doors opened a little after noon. Obama didn’t take the stage until after 3. It was well worth the wait.
T.C. Williams, by the way, is the high school depicted in the movie “Remember the Titans.” In fact, Coach Herman Boone was sitting the front row. Obama called him out and joked that he was better looking than Denzel Washington.
I had a great view, as my mediocre photo below shows. He spoke about how hope isn’t merely “blind optimism,” but actually a way to take stock of the difficulties ahead. Nothing important that has ever been accomplished in America has happened without a fight, he said.
I’ve seen Obama speak on TV lately, and many of the words and themes were familiar. So the most unique part of the event was when Obama took questions. He called on a high school student sitting right in front of me, and she asked a smart question about strengthening relations with Latin America.
His speech and his time during the Q&A re-affirmed my personal impression of Obama as not only a uncommonly inspiring figure, but also extremely wise about the issues facing our country at this pivotal moment. He’s a quick study.
This post on Raising Kaine has a detailed description of the rally, more photos, and a summary of the excellent questions asked by the audience.
